Let me repeat, it is against the law to sell or otherwise receive gifts for donating an organ. We could get into a lot of trouble here.

GLENDA

Bet Derek will think otherwise.

(She shakes him.)

DR. PATEL

We should really let him rest.

GLENDA

Derek! Derek! Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey.

DEREK

Hunh…Whuh? Um. Oh. Hi, Doc. What’s the good news?

GLENDA

The good news is that your big brother is a perfect match for a kidney for you, Derek.

DEREK

Oh… What does he want?

DR. PATEL

Derek, as I was telling Glenda and Garrett, paying for a kidney is against the law.

DEREK

Oh, I know. I know. And I know my brother. What does he want?

DR. PATEL

I have to put my foot down on this. This is unethical. You’re saving his life.

GARRETT

Which ought to be worth something, don’t you think? Keeps him kicking around another 40-50 years.

DR. PATEL

Any payment is not going to come from the hospital or from the insurance company. You understand that, don’t you?

GARRETT

Well, baby brother, what do you think? Did you still want to take that cruise to Cozy-mell this summer or are you not going to be around for it?

DR. PATEL

This is blackmail.

GARRETT

Call it what you like, I call it doing business, Doc.

DEREK

What do you want, Garrett?

GLENDA

Tell him, honey.

GARRETT

We want your house.

DEREK

My house? Where am I going to live?

GARRETT

Hey, I’m not heartless. You can have our RV. We won’t need it anymore.

DEREK

That mold-infested flea trap? You’re saving me from one coffin and putting me in another.

DR. PATEL

I refuse to listen to this. I’ll check the registry and see if there are any other potential organ donors.

DEREK

Wait. Doc. We both know I’m pretty low on the priority list. Garrett’s my only real chance. And he’s my only brother. He’s lived in that RV at the trailer park for over a decade. It don’t even run anymore. The house is my gift to you, Garrett. Not for the kidney, but because you are my brother and you’re too stupid to ever have a chance to live in a proper house on your own.

GARRETT

Now, you’re talking. Let’s do this thing, Doc.

DR. PATEL

Okay, then. The surgery is in two days. Don’t eat anything tomorrow. Be here Saturday morning at 6am. Any questions?

2 comments:

Not a big fan of this scene. It doesn't really build or heighten and the situation seems pretty standard to me. My favorite part is the title. (Been reading some 1940's plays, lately?)

Anyway, I think it's time for a big Joe Janes blow out scene with a lot of action. How about some onstage explosions, or zombie attacks or blood even. I think I'd like to see that. Your relationship stuff and your dialogue are usually top notch, but I'd like to see you deal with energy and pacing in some of your forthcoming scenes.